Question for snorkel'ers

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Anyone have any recommendations on a mask and snorkel for salt water snorkeling?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

Depends on how serious you are and how much money. One mask for one person won't fit another's face. If you press a mask to your face it should stay there without falling off even without the strap.

Go to a store that caters to divers and they will have a huge selection to choose from. They will also have snorkels that drain easier and have comfortable mouth pieces.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

I lived in Hawaii for a couple of years and in the course of that experience became a PADI trainer, dive masks and snorkels are a very personal item, it always pays to visit the dive shops in your area, talk to the people in the shop and then try them on! Never ever buy from the mass retailers, your life depends on it.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

That's one of the problems I have, I live in "no where's ville", was thinking of buying one off of the internet. VERY confusing.

Good advice though Bruce, last year just rented a one size fit's all.

We do have a Dicks Sporting Goods, guess I'll look there first.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

Looks like there is a dive shop in Marion. You could at least go there and try some on.

 

[sasto]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

I snorkel quite frequently....and shallow water dive. I've used my cheap box store US Divers equipment or my good ScubaPro.
Where are you snorkeling this time of the year? The shallow, warn waters of Caicos?

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

In 1996, while on vacation in Hawaii, I bought the Costco combo pack of mask, Duck fins and snorkle (to avoid the recurring rental charges at "Snorkle Bob's"). Can't remember the price - not too costly - still going strong.

 

[island mike]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

I love how you say water snorkeling! Where else would you snorkel!
Anyways,I would like to politely correct the comment bruce made Yes put on the mask without the strap but...Breath in through your nose at the same time,Let go off the mask if the mask stays on snug and not drawing air in its a fit.Is it compfortable? does your nose touch the glass or bridge of your nose hurt? All these things matter. Its just a matter of trying on a lot of masks to find yours.
Facial hair can cause a mask to leak,a bristle that is, longer hairs are o.k..Good luck

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

Hey I know Snorkel Bob! At least I did about 20 years ago!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

I love how you say water snorkeling! Where else would you snorkel!
Anyways,I would like to politely correct the comment bruce made Yes put on the mask without the strap but...Breath in through your nose at the same time,Let go off the mask if the mask stays on snug and not drawing air in its a fit.Is it compfortable? does your nose touch the glass or bridge of your nose hurt? All these things matter. Its just a matter of trying on a lot of masks to find yours.
Facial hair can cause a mask to leak,a bristle that is, longer hairs are o.k..Good luck

I dove daily when I lived in Hawaii, I had a part time job at a dive shop and can say, be clean shaven if you can, or you will get leaks! We used to party all night, get up to go diving and shave on the boat on that way out, so we didn't have to deal with the leaks..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

Anyways,I would like to politely correct the comment bruce made Yes put on the mask without the strap but...Breath in through your nose at the same time,Let go off the mask if the mask stays on snug and not drawing air in its a fit.Is it compfortable? does your nose touch the glass or bridge of your nose hurt? All these things matter. Its just a matter of trying on a lot of masks to find yours.
Facial hair can cause a mask to leak,a bristle that is, longer hairs are o.k..Good luck

yes that is the correct way. I am a diver and that is how I test a new mask.

 

[evolution1985]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

Everyone has their own personal favourites and mine is CRESSI, I believe well made for the price and I have had mine now for a couple of years with no problems what so ever. what ever you do DO NOT buy off the internet without knowing exactly what size and model you need. or you will more than likely just end up wasting money.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

Looks like there is a dive shop in Marion. You could at least go there and try some on.

:redface: Didn't even bother to look in the phone book. :redface: Just assumed we didn't have any.

I snorkel quite frequently....and shallow water dive. I've used my cheap box store US Divers equipment or my good ScubaPro.
Where are you snorkeling this time of the year? The shallow, warn waters of Caicos?

How did you guess?

I love how you say water snorkeling! Where else would you snorkel!
Anyways,I would like to politely correct the comment bruce made Yes put on the mask without the strap but...Breath in through your nose at the same time,Let go off the mask if the mask stays on snug and not drawing air in its a fit.Is it compfortable? does your nose touch the glass or bridge of your nose hurt? All these things matter. Its just a matter of trying on a lot of masks to find yours.
Facial hair can cause a mask to leak,a bristle that is, longer hairs are o.k..Good luck

You missed the word "salt". Didn't know if equipment was different for fresh or salt water.
"Anyone have any recommendations on a mask and snorkel for salt water snorkeling"?

I dove daily when I lived in Hawaii, I had a part time job at a dive shop and can say, be clean shaven if you can, or you will get leaks! We used to party all night, get up to go diving and shave on the boat on that way out, so we didn't have to deal with the leaks..

Yep, my brother was a first time diver on our trip last year, he shaved his beard off. I did ok with mine just snorkeling though.

Thanks everyone for all the input. Especially Bruceb58 who found a dive shop 15 miles from me all the way from California. :facepalm:

 

[NewfieDan]

Re: Question for snorkel'ers

Try Diver's Direct. It is a large diver supply company. I've found them very easy to deal with. Even let me test drive a pair of dive fins I wanted to try. Here is a link to there website. I use a Mares mask for my scuba diving. But there are many other brands that are as good or better.
http://http://www.diversdirect.com/